Fort Kent-- Elmer R. Pelletier died October 8, 2021, at the age of 89 in Fort Kent, Maine.  Elmer will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and community.

Elmer was born in Daigle, Maine, to Tom and Irene (Daigle) Pelletier and raised on a farm with his brothers.  He attended the University of Maine and learned his trade at the Massachusetts College of Optometry. After a stint in the United States Army, he returned to Fort Kent, where for four decades, he provided quality eye-care in a friendly, mostly French-speaking environment, to people from both sides of the border, and throughout the Saint John Valley.

Elmer liked to ski and golf, and to pursue those interests, and to the lasting benefit of the Fort Kent area, he was involved in the creation of the Lonesome Pine Ski Trails, and the Fort Kent Golf Club. He served for a time as president of each of those organizations.  Elmer also loved to play tennis and spent countless hours on the courts with his friend Marc Chasse and brother Rudy.

Elmer loved his family and friends, and spent many hours socializing with these friends. Relationships that were established in his high school years, that he held dear, were carried throughout his life, retirement and beyond, with much love, laughter, and adventures.  He and his wife Jeanine built a beautiful camp on the shores of Eagle Lake, and they spent many hours fishing, sailing, and later, on his pontoon boat.  After retirement, he wintered in Sun City West, AZ for over 20 years, loving the sunshine and active lifestyle he was still able to take part in and enjoy.  It was there that he met Dorothy, after being widowed. Together, they traveled and spent many hours on the golf courses both in the US and Canada.

Elmer also served the community as a longtime member of the Lions Club, on the M.S.A.D. 27 school board, and, later in life, volunteering with Special Olympics.  He also created an annual scholarship given to deserving Fort Kent High School students in Kathy's name, and a scholarship for UMFK students in his and his wife Jeanine's name.  He remained active in the selection of scholarship recipients.

Elmer is survived by his long time companion/fiancé, Dorothy Sturtevant of Sun City West, AZ  & Winnipeg, Manitoba;  his sons, Thomas (Monique), John (Martha), and Paul (Esse); brothers and their wives, Rudolph (Lillian), Philip (Catherine), sister-in-law, Mary Gagnon; grandchildren, Heather (Jefferson) Oranellas, Danielle Pelletier, Lindsey (Jon) Hayes, Samuel Pelletier, & Christopher Pelletier; Ruth Labbe, mother of Tom's daughters;  step-grandchildren, Jacob (Christa) Pelletier, Jeffrey (Chelsea) Pelletier, Jessica Pelletier, & Jeremy (Sarah) Pelletier, and Henning (Laura) Exner; 7 great-grandchildren, 9 step-great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, & cousins.

Elmer was predeceased by his parents, Tom & Irene (Daigle) Pelletier, his loving wife of 40 years, Jeanine (Gagnon) Pelletier, his beloved daughter, Kathy Pelletier, his loving friend/sister-in-law, Sally Gagnon, sister and brother-in-law, Claudette (Pat) Picard (William- (Bee)), brother and sister-in-law, Elbridge Jr. (Boo) and Claudette (Cyr) Gagnon, brother-in-law Michael Gagnon, father and mother-in-law, Elbridge and Sylvia (Chasse) Gagnon.

Due to Covid-19 spikes in the Community, a private service will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church in Fort Kent, but will be live streamed publicly for anyone wishing to view the service please visit https://boxcast.tv/view/elmer-pelletier-funeral-miwkfg6stuccometxpkc on Saturday, October 16th, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to, Lonesome Pine Trails, PO Box 372, Fort Kent, ME 04743; and/or Fort Kent Golf Club, P.O Box 436, Fort Kent, ME 04743.